Control of symmetry in active cationic ansa-zirconocene species: catalyst preparation, characterization and ethylene-norbornene copolymerization

New bis-hydrocarbyl complexes of methylene bridged ansa-metallocenes [H₂C(C₅Me₂H₂)₂]ZrR₂ {R = Me (1), CH₂Ph (2), CH₂SiMe₃ (3), Ph (4)} have been prepared. They form catalytically active intermediates with borane or borate depending on solvent and Zr-R group. Specifically, [H₂C(Me₂C₅H₂)₂]Zr(CH₂Ph)₂ (2) produced an ion pair upon treatment with B(C₆F₅)₃ whereas [H₂C(Me₂C₅H₂)₂]Zr(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (3) produced a zwitterionic species, identified by ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. Copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene for the metallocene dichloride/MAO and bis-hydrocarbyl complex/borate systems was compared.     

Stereoselective synthesis of an ansa-zirconocene in a spirane scaffold

Methodology is described for the preparation of a rigid C₂-bridged zirconocene catalyst system where the C₂-bridge is embedded in a spirane scaffold. The ligand was prepared from 3,4-dihydro-2H-fluoren-1(9H)-one. Initially, the oxo group was converted into a spirocyclobutanone function. Further conversion to a fulvene was followed by regio- and stereoselective saturation to provide the ligand cis-2-(cyclopentadienyl)-1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydro-9H-spiro[cyclobutane-1,1′-fluorene]. The ligand was dilithiated and reacted with zirconium tetrachloride to provide the corresponding (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-spiro[cyclobutane-1,1′-(η⁵-fluorenyl)]zirconium dichloride complex. The structure of the zirconocene dichloride has been established by crystal X-ray analysis.     

The effect that 6-tert-butoxyhexyl functionalization has on ethylene polymerization in ansa-zirconocene dichlorides

Ethylene polymerization studies have been carried out with novel precatalysts of the type: [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-X(t-BuOC₆H₁₂)Me-(η⁵-C₅H₄)]ZrCl₂ [X=C [1a], Si [2a]], [(η⁵-C₁₃H₈)-XMe₂-(η⁵-(t-BuOC₆H₁₂C₅H₃))] ZrCl₂ [X=C [3a], Si [4a]] in the presence of excess methylalumoxane (MAO) to compare their catalytic activity and to delineate the effect of the 6-t-butoxyhexyl functionality on ethylene polymerization. The precatalysts [1a] and [2a] with the bridge functionality showed higher activity in ethylene polymerization than the corresponding complexes [3a] and [4a] which have it on the Cp ring moiety. On the other hand the silyl bridged complexes [2a] and [4a] produced a higher molecular weight polyethylene than the carbon-bridged one, regardless of the location of functional group.     

Spirane-bridged ansa η-cyclopentadienyl-η-fluorenyl-zirconocene precatalysts

Synthesis of rigid ansa-zirconocene precatalyst systems with a C₂-bridge embedded in a spirane scaffold is described. Fulvenes were key intermediates in regio- and stereoselective preparation of the appropriate spirane ligands. Substitution in the cyclopentadienyl group in the ligand was effected by fulvene methodology. The zirconocenes were active precatalysts for the polymerisation of propene when activated with MAO. The structure of the parent zirconocene dichloride has been verified by X-ray crystal analysis.     

Metathesis copolymerization of 1,5-cyclooctadiene and norbornene with electrochemically generated WCl6-based active species

The copolymerization of 1,5-cyclooctadiene and norbornene in the presence of an electrochemically generated WCl₆-based catalyst was investigated. This copolymer was isolated and characterized by ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy to analyse in detail the nature of homo- and heterodyad units and GPC analysis (Mn = 11200, PDI = 2.0). Homopolymerizations of 1,5-cyclooctadiene and norbornene were also studied and resulting polymers were characterized by spectroscopic methods to discuss with copolymers. Glass-transition temperatures of homo- and copolymers were determined by DSC.     

Appreciable norbornene incorporation in the copolymerization of ethylene/norbornene using titanium catalysts containing trianionic N[CH2CH(Ph)O]33− ligands

The newly synthesized 1‐TiCl (C₃ symmetric) and 2‐TiCl (C_s symmetric) precatalysts in combination with MAO polymerized ethylene, cyclic olefins, and copolymerized ethylene/norbornene in good yields. The catalyst with C₃ symmetry exhibits moderate catalytic activity and efficient norbornene incorporation for E/NBE copolymerization in the presence of MAO [activity = 360 kg polymer/(mol Ti h), ethylene 1 atm, NBE 5 mmol/mL, 10 min], affording poly(ethylene‐co‐NBE)s with high norbornene contents (42.0%) and the C_s symmetric catalyst showed an activity of 420 kg polymer/(mol Ti h), ethylene 1 atm, NBE 5 mmol/mL affording poly(ethylene‐co‐NBE)s with 33.0% norbornene content. The effect of monomer concentration at ambient temperature and constant Al/Ti ratio for the homo and copolymerization was studied in a detailed manner. We found that apart from the electronic environment around the metal center the steric environment provided by the symmetry of the catalyst systems has a considerable influence on the percentage of norbornene content of the copolymer obtained. We also found that with a given catalyst a variable clearly influencing the copolymer microstructure, hence also the copolymer properties, is the monomer concentration at a given feed ratio. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 444–452, 2008     

On the α relaxation of the constrained amorphous phase in poly(ethylene)

The idea of coexistence of two different amorphous fractions in semi-crystalline poly(ethylene) (PE) is taken into consideration. Differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and positron annihilation were used to study the effect of supermolecular structure on the glass transition associated with ‘semi-ordered’ amorphous phase. The arrangement of chains, located in this phase, is forced internally by the presence of crystalline domains. Influence of drawing, irradiation and annealing on thermodynamic and structural parameters was investigated. In a series of experiments the correlation between the glass transition, the α relaxation and the free volume of a semi-crystalline system was found. In order to better describe the relaxation, existence of two types of amorphous fractions was assumed. The relaxations are treated as a long-scale motion of macromolecule segments located into the ‘semi-ordered’ amorphous regions, or into the ‘real’ amorphous regions, and are labelled as α_c and α_g, respectively. The magnitudes of the loss peaks were quite sensitive to the free volume, which was found to increase by drawing and decrease by irradiation. Two different DSC traces were recorded for both glass transitions.     

Quasiliving Carbocationic Polymerization. II. The Discovery: The α-Methylstyrene System

A detailed analysis of elementary reactions of carbocationic polymerization culminated in the prediction and subsequent experimental demonstration of quasiliving polymerization. Quasiliving polymers are formed in a system provided that the process of chain termination and chain transfer to monomer are absent or reversible, i.e., the propagating ability of the chain end is maintained throughout the experiment, and the molecular weight increases in proportion to the cumulative amount of monomer added. The chain end can be active (carbocation) or dormant (reactivable polymeric olefin or cation source). Chain transfer is suppressed by keeping the monomer concentration low. Quasiliving polymerizations are maintained by continuous slow feeding of dilute monomer to a charge containing the initiating or propagating species (quasiliving polymerization technique). A comprehensive kinetic scheme has been developed that describes quasiliving polymerization in quantitative terms. Quasiliving polymerization was demonstrated experimentally in the “H₂O”/BCl₃/α-methylstyrene and cumyl chloride/BCl₃/α-methylstyrene systems. M _n versus monomer input plots are linear over wide ranges, indicating quasiliving conditions, and poly(α-methylstyrenes) with M _n > 2 × 10⁵ have been obtained, Molecular weight distributions were found progressively to narrow and dispersion ratios M _w/M _n to decrease.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and reactivity of new tin bridged ansa-bis(cyclopentadiene) compounds: X-ray crystal structures of Me2Sn(C5Me4R-1)2 (R = H, SiMe3)

The organo-tin compounds, Me₂Sn(C₅H₄R-1)₂ (R = Me (1), Prⁱ (2), Bu^t (3), SiMe₃ (4)) and Me₂Sn(C₅Me₄R-1)₂ (R = H (5), SiMe₃ (6)), were prepared by the reaction of Me₂SnCl₂ with the lithium or sodium derivative of the corresponding cyclopentadiene. Compounds 1-6 have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn). In addition the molecular structures of 5 and 6 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The transmetalation reaction of 1-6 with ZrCl₄ or [NbCl₄(THF)₂] gave the corresponding metallocene complexes in high yields.     

Fluorinated and ring‐substituted bisbenzimidazole copper complexes for ethylene/acrylate copolymerization

Bisbenzimidazole copper dichloride complexes (CuBBIMs), when activated with methylaluminoxane, catalyze the random copolymerization of ethylene with acrylates to produce highly linear functional copolymers. To probe the sensitivity of the copolymerization to the catalyst structure, a series of CuBBIM catalysts with various steric, electronic, and geometric ligand characteristics was prepared, including CuBBIMs having benzimidazole ring substituents and ligand backbones of various lengths. Four different acrylates were also evaluated as comonomers (t‐butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, t‐butyl methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate). Although no obvious ligand‐based influences on copolymerization were identified, the structure of the acrylate comonomer was found to exert significant effects. Copolymers prepared with t‐butyl methacrylate comonomer exhibited the highest ethylene contents (31–63%), whereas those prepared with methyl acrylate contained only minor amounts of ethylene (<15%). Copolymerizations carried out at lowered acrylate feed levels generally had increased ethylene contents but showed smaller yields, lowered molecular weights, and increased branching. Unusual ketoester structures were also observed in the methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate containing copolymers, suggesting that the acrylate ester group size may be an important controlling factor for copolymerization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1817–1840, 2006     

Development of an aromatic triamine-based flame-retardant benzoxazine and its high-performance copolybenzoxazines

An aromatic triamine-based flame-retardant benzoxazine (3), which could not be prepared by the traditional approaches, was successfully prepared by a three-step procedure. The first step is the condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with an aromatic triamine, forming intermediate (1) with an imine linkage. The second step is the reduction of the imine linkage by sodium borohydride, resulting in intermediate (2) with a secondary amine linkage. The third step is the ring closure condensation of (2), leading to benzoxazine (3). The structures of (1-3) were confirmed by IR, high-resolution mass, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectra. Benzoxazine (3) was copolymerized with commercial benzoxazines. According to the measurements, thermal properties, flame retardancy, dimensional stability of commercial polybenzoxazines were significantly improved via the incorporation of (3).     

Group 4 metallocene complexes with non-bridged and tetramethyldisiloxane-bridged methyl-phenyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands: synthesis, characterization and olefin polymerization studies

The non-vicinal methyl-phenyl-substituted zirconocene dichlorides meso-and rac-[Zr{η⁵-(1-Ph-3-Me-C₅H₃)}₂Cl₂] and [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅){η⁵-(1-Ph-3-Me-C₅H₃)}Cl₂] have been isolated by transmetallation of the lithium salt Li(1-Ph-3-Me-C₅H₃) to ZrCl₄(THF)₂ and [Zr(η⁵-C₅H₅)Cl₃ · DME] (DME = dimethoxyethane), respectively. Similar transmetallation of the lithium salt Li₂[(Me-Ph-C₅H₂SiMe₂)₂O] to MCl₄ gave the ansa-metallocenes [M{η⁵-(Me-Ph-C₅H₂SiMe₂)₂O}Cl₂] (M = Zr, Hf) for which the meso- and rac-diastereomers were separated. The dimethyl and dibenzyl derivatives of these metallocenes were also prepared and the structure of all of these compounds determined by NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of rac-[Zr{η⁵-(2-Me-4-Ph-C₅H₂SiMe₂)₂O}Cl₂] was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The activity of the dichlorometallocenes/MAO catalysts for ethene and propene polymerization was evaluated.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of cobalt carbonates using different counter ions: An efficient precursor to nano-sized cobalt oxide (Co3O4)

Synthesis of submicrometer crystalline particles of cobalt carbonate was achieved hydrothermally using different cobalt salts and urea with a molar ratio from 1:3 to 1:20 (cobalt salt:urea) in aqueous solutions at 160 °C for 24-36 h, in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant. Nanoparticles of Co₃O₄, with an average size from 30 to 39 nm, were obtained by thermal decomposition of CoCO₃ samples at 500 °C for 3 h in an electrical furnace. The as-synthesized products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectra and thermal analysis. Studying the optical properties of the as-prepared cobalt oxide nanoparticles showed the presence of two band gaps, the values of which confirmed the semiconducting properties of the prepared Co₃O₄.     

Enantioselective sequential-injection chemiluminescence immunoassays for 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)

This study deals with the development of enantioselective flow-through immunosensors for triiodothyronine (T₃) and tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine, T₄) on the basis of a competitive assay using enantioselective antibodies. The instrumental set-up is based on a simple sequential-injection system equipped with a chemiluminescence detector and an immunoreactor, which consists of a flow-cell packed with immobilized haptens. As haptens, 4-amino-l-phenylalanine (4-amino-l-Phe), 4-amino-d-Phe or l-T₃ were used. Antibodies directed against 4-amino-l- or d-Phe or l-T₃ were labeled with an acridinium ester. Three different approaches for immobilizing the haptens were investigated including simple adsorption on polystyrene, chemical binding to an activated methacrylate polymer and binding via the biotin-streptavidin binding (BSB) system. The latter approach showed the best results regarding repeatability and sensivity. Using biotinylated l-T₃ immobilized onto a streptavidin-derivatized trisacryl support and labeled anti-l-T₃ antibodies, a detection limit of 15.5 fmol/ml for l-T₃ was obtained. One assay cycle including regeneration takes only about 5 min. This approach was applied to detect l-T₃ in plasma samples without any sample pre-treatment. The average recovery from spiked plasma sample was about 93% with a R.S.D. below 5%.     

Carbonylation studies of Pd-methyl complexes modified with 1,4-Cs-symmetrical diphosphine ligands

Neutral palladium methyl chloride 2a-d [PdCH₃(PˆP′)Cl] and cationic palladium methyl acetonitrile mono-triflate 3a-d [PdCH₃(PˆP′)(CH₃CN)](CF₃SO₃) complexes were synthesized and fully characterized (PˆP′ = 1a-d). All the neutral and cationic complexes containing a C_s-symmetric diphosphine exist in solution as a mixture of geometric isomers. The carbonylation at atmospheric pressure of the neutral and cationic complexes revealed that migratory insertion of carbon monoxide is not stereospecific in these systems. The neutral and cationic acyl complexes were formed in situ as mixtures of stereoisomers, which were characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy.The crystal structures of [Pd(1a)Cl]₂(OTf)₂ and 2d are described.     

Organic thermal stabilizers for rigid poly(vinyl chloride). Part XII: N-phenyl-3-substituted-5-pyrazolone derivatives

N-phenyl-3-substituted-5-pyrazolone derivatives have been examined as thermal stabilizers or co-stabilizers for rigid PVC in air, at 180 °C. Their high stabilizing efficiency is detected by their high induction period values (T_s) when compared with some of the common reference stabilizers used industrially, such as dibasic lead carbonate, calcium-zinc soap and n-octyl tin mercaptide. Blending these derivatives with some of the reference stabilizers in different ratios had a synergistic effect on both the induction period and the dehydrochlorination rate.A probable mechanism for the stabilizing mode of N-phenyl-3-substituted-5-pyrazolone derivatives has been proposed. The stabilizing efficiency is attributed at least partially to the ability of the organic stabilizer to be incorporated in the polymeric chains, thus disrupting the chain degradation.     

Studies on copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate

The paper describes the preparation and characterization of cross-linked homopolymers and copolymers of N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA, M_n = 526 g/mol). Several copolymer samples were prepared by taking varying amounts of monomers i.e. NIPAAm and PEGMA in the initial feed using hydrophilic (IRGACURE-2959) and hydrophobic (DURACURE-1173) photoinitiator. In order to investigate the effect of reaction conditions, copolymers were prepared below or above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) using water or water:ethanol (50:50) as solvent and by varying the amounts of cross-linker. Hydrogels prepared under varying reaction conditions were characterized for its swelling behaviour (using optical microscope), phase transition temperature (using DSC) and morphology (using SEM). As expected LCST increased from 35 to 39 °C as PEGMA content in copolymers increased from 1 to 20% (w/w). However, the morphology of hydrogels was found to be independent on the reaction conditions.Copolymer films having an optimum combination of swelling and performance properties were evaluated as switchable cell culture membranes. Hepatic cancer cell lines (Hep G-2) was used to study the cell growth and detachment. Cell growth and detachment were found to be dependent on the copolymer composition. Cell viability was found comparable to trypsin which also supports application of these films as cell culture membrane.     

Facile generation of vicinal bromoazides from olefins using TMSN3 and TsNBr2 without any catalyst

A very rapid and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of vicinal bromoazides directly from olefin using N,N-dibromo-p-toluenesulfonamide (TsNBr₂) without any catalyst. The reaction is extremely fast which goes into completion instantaneously to produce bromoazides. This procedure is applicable to various olefins such as cinnamates, chalcone, styrenes, and acrylate to give the corresponding 1,2-bromoazide in an excellent yield.     

Sodium and silver phosphate glasses doped with chlorides of Fe,Mn and Zn

A number of samples of sodium and silver phosphate glasses doped with various compositions of some transition metals viz. iron, manganese and zinc chlorides alongwith undoped samples of sodium and silver phosphate glasses were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectral, electrical conductivity and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glass transition temperature (T _g) and crystallization temperature (T _c) values obtained from DSC curves were found to increase with increasing concentration of the dopant Fe/Mn/Zn chlorides in both sodium and silver phosphate glasses and the following sequence is observed: T _g(–FeCl₃)>T _g(–MnCl₂)>T _g(–ZnCl₂) T _c(–FeCl₃)>T _c(–MnCl₂)>T _c(–ZnCl₂) The increase in T _g and T _c values indicate enhanced chemical durability of the doped glasses. The electrical conductivity values and the results of FTIR spectral studies have been correlated with the structural changes in the glass matrix by the addition of different transition metal cations as dopants.     

Synthesis and in vitro studies of Gd-DTPA derivatives as new potential MRI contrast agents

A new type of dendritic molecules, Gd-DTPA derivatives, which work as a functionalized ligand coordinating gadolinium(III) ion at the center of their frameworks with different terminal moieties on the molecular surfaces, was readily synthesized with high yield. The structures were established by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectral studies. In vitro studies showed them to have enhanced r₁ value in albumin medium and good potentiality as MRI contrast agent.